Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook is reportedly working on a video chat device for the living room this year with its first consumer hardware device.
According to sources close to the firm, the company will unveil a $499 (£370) video chat system to rival Amazon’s Echo Show in May.
Named ‘Portal’, it will feature a laptop-sized touchscreen and smart camera technology boosted by artificial intelligence.
The firm plans market it as a way for friends and family to video chat from a communal hub.
This puts in in direct competition with Amazon who has positioned its Echo Show device as a social hub for the kitchen.
If report are correct, Portal will be available for consumers in the second half of this year.
The device will feature a wide-angle camera, microphone, and speakers boosted by artificial intelligence, and it will be geared for communal use in the living room.
A version in testing would enable the camera to automatically scan for faces in the room and link them to their Facebook accounts.
Like Amazon’s screen-equipped Echo Show, the device will be controlled by voice-command and designed for indoor use.
Facebook intends to let Portal access third-party streaming services like Spotify and Netflix, the report claims.
While Facebook itself has not confirmed any rumours, Andrew Bosworth, the company’s Vice President of augmented and virtual reality, wrote on Twitter: ‘Can’t comment on speculation but can confirm it’s going to be an exciting year for AR/VR. #F8’.
The comment suggests Facebook could announce Portal in May at the company’s F8 developer conference.
According to a new report from online news outlet, Cheddar, The device will act as the first of many Facebook products for the home.
Facebook intends to let Portal access third-party streaming services like Spotify and Netflix, the report claims.
The firm recently signed big music licensing deals with Sony/ATV and Universal Music Group.
